Enzo Fernandez continues to be linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge despite Chelsea bringing in Xabi Alonso as the club's new first-team manager
12:48, 29 May 2026
Xabi Alonso
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Chelsea have appointed Xabi Alonso as their new manager on a four-year contract(Image: Oscar Del Pozo/AFP)
The news of Enzo Fernandez wanting to leave Chelsea this summer would not have come as a surprise to too many Blues supporters.
Less than three months after his bombshell comments where the Argentine criticised the club following their break-up with Enzo Maresca, while simultaneously flirting with a potential move to Real Madrid, Fernandez wishing to leave Stamford Bridge this summer is hardly a shock. As well as this, the 25-year-old midfielder could be seen waving at the travelling Chelsea supporters post-match at the Stadium of Light at the weekend.
Chelsea do not want to part ways with Fernandez, sources say, but equally they do not want a player whose commitment is not 100%. If the Blues were to receive an offer of £120million - around £13m more than what Chelsea paid for him in January 2023 - then the west Londoners will sanction a transfer this summer.
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For Chelsea's best interests, they will want a solution regarding Fernandez as soon as possible. Whether that is the Argentina international, who will also not want to be distracted by speculation over his future during his country's defence of the World Cup this summer, making a U-turn and deciding he wants to stay, or if he ends up leaving.
Xabi Alonso begins his role as Chelsea manager in just over a month's time. The Spaniard will officially get to work at Stamford Bridge on July 1. Pre-season training at Cobham will start later in the month and while Fernandez will not be there, Alonso will get to meet a chunk of his new squad and try and get his ideas across as early as possible.
While starting work at Cobham, Alonso will also be working in tandem with the club's sporting leadership team, made up of five directors, behind the scenes ahead of a big summer on the transfer front for Chelsea. At the time of writing, the Blues are targeting at least - and there needs to be emphasis on the last two words - three new signings.
Xabi Alonso
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Xabi Alonso will have a huge say in Chelsea's transfer business this summer
Chelsea are looking to sign a starting-level centre-back, a central midfielder and a left-sided winger in the coming months. All of this is separate to what they do in terms of outgoings.
Crucially, BlueCo, Chelsea's ownership group, have slightly tweaked their transfer model. While the Blues will not completely deviate away from their youth-centric approach in the transfer market, the club are looking at more ready-made players, with Premier League/top-level experience.
BlueCo want to create a culture at Cobham and are aligned with Alonso, sources say, in that regard. That is why they are open to allowing Fernandez to move on this summer. If he doesn't want to be at the club, it could be detrimental to keep him around.
Plus, £120m is a nice chunk of change to have lying around. And the sooner they sort the Fernandez situation, the sooner the club can focus on other areas this summer.
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